Reversible dial



I. CAESAR July 13, 1937.

. REVERSIBLE DIAL Filed NOV, 19, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July13, 1937 one srarss rs'r flCiE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to dials and more particularly to reversibledials, used as faces for instruments and games.

It is frequently desirable in electrical or other fluid-measuringinstruments to have an interchangeable dial or other means which willpermit the instrument to indicate directly in various units. When morethan one scale is provided on a single dial face however, themultiplicity tends toward confusion and increases the possibility ofpersonal error in taking readings. When dial faces having separate,single scales, are used, the necessary substitution of dials to indicatedifferent units entails considerable time and trouble. Thus for exampleif a pressure-measuring instrument indicates directly in pounds persquare inch and it is desired to substitute a dial which indicateseither kilograms per square centimeter, or directly in atmospheres, itis usually necessary to remove the original dial from the instrument andto effect the substitution of dials after the dial mounting means hasbeen removed.

Similarly in game devices incorporating a rotating element, or disk, itis frequently desirable to have a plurality of single-scale dials, anyof which may be instantly placed into operating position and withoutremoving any of the dials from the disk.

The principal object of the present invention therefore, is to provide adial having a plurality of faces, any of which may be exposed to view.

Another object is to provide a means for mounting the dial elements sothat any desired face may be instantly placed in the operating position.

A further object is to provide a structure which will allow all of thedial elements to remain attached to the instrument or game, when theyare not in use, without aifecting the operation of the device.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of variousfeatures of construction and arrangement of parts which will first bedescribed in the accompanying specification, in conjunction with theappended drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the reversibledial as used with a game, and the features forming a part of theinvention will be distinctly pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan View of a game device showing the present inventionattached to a rotating element.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged Vertical cross-sectional View taken on the lines2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing the manner in which a plurality ofthe reversible dials may be attached to the fixed dial.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2,the invention is shown adapted for use with a conventional game,comprising a casing or shell it, recessed at its central portion toreceive a rotating disk H, preferably made of wood. 7

A post if, is shown frictionally engaging the mid-section of the diskEl, and is cavitated to receive a Supporting pin (not shown) verticallymounted in the casing Iii. The disk is provided with a plurality ofperipheral notches l3. against one of which a ball Ml, may come to rest,after the disk has been rotated.

Secured to the disk H, is a base element or fixed dial l5, which ispreferably made of light sheet metal. The fixed dial l5 may be securedto the disk ii in any conventional manner, as by screws 56 extendingthru countersunk openings ll formed in the fixed dial iii. If the fixeddial E5 is to be secured to an instrument, I may use flat-head machinescrews or any other suitable means of attachment. The fixed dial [5 isshown in the drawing as having a circular contour, but it may be made aswell in polygonal shape Without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Fixed sleeve-shaped hinge elements iii, are formed on the fixed dial it,and are aligned diametrally, as shown in Fig. 1, or at the median whenthe dial is not circular. The fixed hinge elements iii are preferablystruck-up from portions of the fixed dial.

The reversible dial 59 has one half of the fixed dial l5, as divided bythe diameter. A hinge element 20 is formed at each end of the reversibledial l9, and is adapted to engage adjoining sections of the hingeelements it. elements it and 2t completes the hinge structure and allowsthe reversible dial to pivot about its axis, as represented by brokenlines in Fig. 2.

The reversible dial I9 is constructed as a semiannulus in order to allowit to clear the post l2 during the reversing process. When no post orinstrument pointer is employed at the axis, the reversible dial 59 maybe made in the form of a full semi-circular disk.

the configuration of q A pin 24 extending between the respective 1 Tworeversible dials may be used as are shown in partly raised position inFig. 3. The number of dials which may thus be incorporated, isrestricted only by practical limitations. It is recommended that thinsheet material be used for the reversible dials, and that the hingeelements which are located at the extremities of the reversible dials beformed slightly offset with respect to the thickness of the dial, inorder to avoid interference between adjacent dials, and to allow them tolie flat. At least one hinge element 2|] is formed on each of thereversible dials l9 so as to coact with the hinge element or elements l8formed on the fixed dial I5.

The dials in Figs. 1 and 3 are shown provided with radial divisions,Within which I propose to add suitable legends adapting them for use asa game, but letters or graduated scales may be used as well. Theinscription may be made directly upon the dials by etching, or withpigmented material, or they may be formed on paper strips which may thenbe secured to the dials with an adhesive.

The structure shown in Fig. 3 incorporates three separate and completedials or faces, formed in halves. The first is formed by one half 2! ofthe fixed dial I5, and one half 2! of the reversible dial IS. The secondface comprises the two halves 22 and 22', of the reversible dials l9,and the third face incorporates the half 23 of the reversible dial i9and the half 23' of the fixed dial [5.

In order to change from one exposed dial to another it is simplynecessary to turn one or more of the segmented, reversible dials throughan arc of The present preferred form discloses a specific constructionof the invention as used in conjunction with a game, merely to complywith the patent statutes and is not to be construed in the limitingsense as I anticipate any structure properly within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. An instrument dial, comprising a fixed dial, and a plurality ofreversible dials pivotally secured to the fixed dial, any one of saidreversible dials being adapted to lie closely adjacent to said fixeddial, the respective faces of said reversible V dials and said fixeddial being provided with portions of an inscription, each of theinscriptions being complete when the faces provided with the portionsthereof are exposed to View.

2. The combination with a disc and axially disposed means for rotatablymounting said disc, of a fixed dial secured to said disc, and at leastone reversible dial hinged to said fixed dial at opposite sides of saidmounting means and adapted to lie fiat against said fixed dial.

3. The combination with a generally circular disc, and a post projectingfrom the face thereof and serving as a means for rotatably mounting saiddisc, of a fixed dial secured flat against said disc, and at least onereversible dial pivoted to said fixed dial substantially at a medianline thereof and adapted to lie flat against said fixed dial, saidreversible dial being provided with a cut away portion at a zoneadjacent to said post so as to permit said reversible dial to clear saidpostwhen said reversible dial is pivoted from one position to another.

IRVING CAESAR.

